NCSC case studies
NCSC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) is a national specialty certification issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). According to NBCC, NCSCs are nationally certified counselors who "offer the highest standards of practice for schools and students because they have met stringent education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements in school counseling." The credential is aimed at counselors working in school settings who want a national mark of distinction beyond state-level certification or licensure. A key structural detail for candidates: NBCC's fee table lists the NCSC at 250 with "N/A" under Exam Registration, meaning the NCSC application does not include a registration for a separate certification examination in the way the NCC and CCMHC rows do ( 250 without exam registration, $375 with it). The NBCC examinations page describes the NCE and NCMHCE as the exams behind the NCC and CCMHC credentials; it does not describe a distinct NCSC exam. The NCSC case studies are 5 cases and about 3,630 words.
1The Stepparent's Records Request
You are the counselor at a 1,200-student public high school. Maya, a 15-year-old sophomore, has attended six individual sessions since September for panic attacks and family conflict.
816 words, about 4 min2The Threat in the Group Chat
You are on the threat assessment team at a 700-student middle school. On Tuesday a parent forwards a screenshot from a group chat.
785 words, about 4 min3What Is Said in Grief Group
You run a six-week grief group for six students in grades 7-8. All parents signed a consent form that describes the group as 'support for loss' and states that group confidentiality has limits when someone may be hurt.
682 words, about 3 min4Accommodation Request at the Deadline
You are a counselor at a large public high school. Priya, a senior, has a November 1 early-decision deadline and an SAT on October 5-three weeks away.
674 words, about 3 min5The Safety Plan and the Locked Cabinet
Jordan, 17, is a junior who came out to you as gay last year. He has a history of one suicide attempt in April and was hospitalized for three days.
673 words, about 3 min